The Spurs may do the unthinkable in a major draft night gamble

After the shocking 2025 NBA draft lottery, the San Antonio Spurs will be the team to watch ahead of the NBA draft. They will not only have the second overall pick but the 14th and 38th picks as well. That gives them a massive opportunity to add more talent to an already talented team, and they may even make a huge gamble.

Duke center Khaman Maluach has largely been written off by many Spurs fans due to concerns about how he would fit playing alongside Victor Wembanyama. That is a fair concern but perhaps Spurs fans have been operating under the assumption that he is strictly an old-school, plodding 7-2 center (in shoes). Maluach played that way at Duke but has previously shown a 3-point range.

Recently, he showed off more of his shooting touch, draining fourteen straight threes during the NBA draft combine. While it's fair to point out that there is a difference between taking shots in a gym and in games, this isn't exactly Andre Drummond swishing threes during the offseason only to never take them in games. Maluach has legit shooting touch.

Khaman Maluach could be a game-changer for the Spurs

With the draft combine and individual workouts ahead of the NBA draft, he has a chance to significantly improve his draft stock. He can do that by continuing to show that he can knock down threes and prove that he can be a stretch five at the next level.

If he can, then it's not out of the realm of possibility that he could actually improve his draft standing. He is currently projected to be picked between 5th and 8th overall, but there's a chance that he could solidify himself as a top-five pick.

That means that he would be in contention for taking second overall. You have to show more than he has at Duke, but admittedly, there isn't another player like him in this draft class.

If the Spurs believe in his three-point shooting, then they could be willing to gamble on him becoming a legitimate starting center and even a borderline All-Star. That could prove to be controversial, with Dylan Harper and Ace Bailey considered to be the second- or third-best players in this draft class.

Should the Spurs pick Khaman Maluach?

If the Spurs were to select him, then he could potentially solve two problems at once. One being that the Spurs desperately need a backup to Victor and to bolster their defense. If my lunch can also knock out open three, then he can help with their spacing issues and give them two stretch fives, allowing them to play with a floor-spacing big man at all times.

Generally, spending a top 10 pick on a center is considered to be a big no-no unless they have superstar potential. He definitely doesn't have superstar potential, but he could be very good for a very long time, and there is something to be said about that.

While Harper is expected to be the second pick in the draft, there are some fit concerns with him and De'Aaron Fox and Steph Castle. If the Spurs don't feel that he would be a fit, then they could look at other prospects. Even so, he would be a stretch at two, though if the Spurs were to trade down in hopes of drafting him and getting another asset or two, then Maluch might be in play.

All told, Maluch appears to have a lot more to his game than first thought. If he can indeed become a legit stretch five to go along with his elite rim protection, then he could be a great player. Even so, he may be a reach at two but an option if the Spurs decide to trade back in the draft.